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Re: (IC) HtV STL by Night
Jen hangs up on Mitchell, though just as she is, it sounds like he's about to say something. As she pulls into her driveway, she gets two text messages from the park ranger; the first is a phone number, the second reads, "His name's Bill".
When Jen dials the number, it rings several times before the line is picked up. "Who is this?" maybe Bill asks in a deadly serious almost accusatory voice that sounds like sandpaper wiped on gravel.
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Re: (IC) HtV STL by Night
Frank pinches the bridge of his nose, he'd half convinced himself that the whole thing wasn't real. "We got in there without crossing any water at all, so that's crap. And I remember that tree. We used it to get away yeah, but it was left where anyone, let alone a witch, could've done the same thing."
"Listen, in case there was something we did, tell your buddies I'm sorry. But maybe they should focus more on keeping people out of there. At least two people died because they didn't, and another four almost went with them. Now, if you don't mind, I'd love to forget about all of that and get back to my daughters."
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Re: (IC) HtV STL by Night
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Bennosuke
Jen hangs up on Mitchell, though just as she is, it sounds like he's about to say something. As she pulls into her driveway, she gets two text messages from the park ranger; the first is a phone number, the second reads, "His name's Bill".
When Jen dials the number, it rings several times before the line is picked up. "Who is this?" maybe Bill asks in a deadly serious almost accusatory voice that sounds like sandpaper wiped on gravel.
“This is Jen, is this Bill? I got your number from Mitch,” she said.
Spoiler
Show
Jen has a condition that can be resolved by doing something stupid, right?
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Re: (IC) HtV STL by Night
Spoiler: OOC@Daishain
Show
Quote:
Frank pinches the bridge of his nose, he'd half convinced himself that the whole thing wasn't real. "We got in there without crossing any water at all, so that's crap. And I remember that tree. We used it to get away yeah, but it was left where anyone, let alone a witch, could've done the same thing.
Frank and Jen found the log displaced in its position crossing the running water creek at the bottom of the ravine. They did use it to get across, and then left it there when they fled.
"I don't know what to tell you man," Mitch says anxiously, "that's just what Jason's uncle said... and like he and his friends seemed to know what they were talking about!"
Quote:
"Listen, in case there was something we did, tell your buddies I'm sorry. But maybe they should focus more on keeping people out of there. At least two people died because they didn't, and another four almost went with them. Now, if you don't mind, I'd love to forget about all of that and get back to my daughters."
Again, Mitch replies with a strung out hurried anxiety, "They're not angry or anything man. They're worried! They said she's free now. They've been combing Salem up and down, but don't think she's there anymore... though apparently some kid in the RV park died in the middle of the night, and they think it was her. But they think she's escaped, and maybe since you guys freed her, they think she's followed you home."
************************************************** ************
There is a long pause after Jen introduces herself, almost long enough for Jen to wonder if the line got disconnected. Then in the same 6-pack a day voice, "Good evening Jen. Where are you right now?"
Spoiler: OOC
Show
Mostly yes. Jen is spooked, and can resolve the condition if she does something stupid as a result of her fear.
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Re: (IC) HtV STL by Night
Jen Gibbs
"I'm at home, but not for long," Jen replied, "where are you?"
She puts the phone on speaker and heads straight for her weapon locker where she keeps her firearms. Was she freaked out? Yes. But she was determined to plow right through that and prove to herself there was nothing wrong.
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Re: (IC) HtV STL by Night
Frank is silent for a while, then tersely states, "How do I contact these people?"
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Re: (IC) HtV STL by Night
Bills voice remains a low rumble of gravel picking up immediately. "Home? Where's that? You sound like city folk" the man asks, stream rolling right past Jen's question.
************************************************** *
"Bill says... that's Jason's uncle; he says he wanted you to come up here," Mitch word vomits. But he pauses for a moment, seeming to catch his breath, or maybe a hold of the last shreds of his sanity. Slowing down he says, "I know the whole thing sounds melodramatic and stupid. But well last night was really crazy, and Bill and his... associates seem to know what is going on. They're definitely weird and secretive, but I think you should hear him out."
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Re: (IC) HtV STL by Night
"We'll see about going up there, how do I contact them?"
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Re: (IC) HtV STL by Night
Jen
“I’m not in the habit of giving out my home address,” Jen said, “Mitch said you wanted to talk?”
She spoke as she moved and kept her eyes open for anything out of place.
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Re: (IC) HtV STL by Night
Mitch gives Frank the same contact information he provided for Jen, but adds, "I don't know man. I think you should get up here and ASAP. It sounds to me like... well like they have ways of fighting her, or it, or whatever. Anyways, you should definitely hang some garlic up in your house to start. I've been stringing it up all day."
**************************************************
Bill chuckles gruffly and replies, "****... and they call me paranoid. How about starting with a city?" He pauses for a moment, and though Jen can't really hear, it somehow sounds like the man is sucking hard at a cigarette. "We wanna know where she went. I can't start tracking her till I know where her prey... I mean where you are."
In reply to the question Bill replies, "Yes, I want some information from you, but I also want to help. I suspect you are in quiet some danger my friend. **** you did? ****! Not a lot of people have actually seen the Wytch!" And at this there is a certain grim excitement in the man's voice, "And I suspect she's gonna wanna come after you and your friend, now that you've freed her."
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Re: (IC) HtV STL by Night
"We'll see. Take care of yourself kid." Frank hangs up and palms his face, "...Garlic... Right out of a cheap horror book..."
Frank almost forgets about calling Bill, frowning at the absurdity of it all. But then he looks towards where his daughter was sleeping, and remembers the poor girl in the woods...
Soon enough he's calling the number he was given.
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Re: (IC) HtV STL by Night
Jen Gibbs
"St Louis," Jen replied, figuring it was okay to say that much. She still suspected she was being scammed.
"Well, why don't you tell me what kind of things a 'Wytch' could or would do, and I'll tell you if that's what I saw out there," Jen said.
"Mitch said the same thing about 'freeing' it, but it's not like we unlocked a door or anything," Jen said, "and besides, assuming there is a 'Wytch' and assuming we did 'free' it, shouldn't it be saying 'thank you' if we ever crossed paths again?"
She talked while she moved. Of course, shooting it in the chest probably wouldn't endear it to her, assuming there actually was a Wytch out there. But it bled. So that's why she was arming herself.
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Re: (IC) HtV STL by Night
It sounds like Mitch is just starting to say something when Frank hangs up, but it is almost an immediately a relief to be off of the phone with the frantic park ranger.
Later, the phone rings once, then twice, then three times when Frank calls. When the line picks up, a gruff voice barks out almost immediately. "Hello? Who's calling?" probably Bill says in an almost irritated and very anxious tone.
************************************************** *****
Quote:
"St Louis," Jen replied, figuring it was okay to say that much. She still suspected she was being scammed.
"Of course," Bill says with disdain. But in reply to Jen's question, she is almost cut off. "There's only one Wytch," he says with the insistent irritation of a mad man being called on his insanity, adding, "The Wytch of Lytchwood Park!" There's a short pause while Jen can here the man's labored breathing. Then he says, "It's a shape shifter, and a creature with dark magics... old magics. We believe that it was some sort of branch off of our more correct human tree. It can wear skins and eat dreams, and the people of Salem go to her every once in a while for favors. No one talks about it, and no one would admit it, but they leave her offerings in exchange." By now Bill is practically raving, though his voice remains low and rough. But he stops here, again seeming to try to keep a hold of himself. Then he adds, "It's complicated, and there's more to tell you about... but not over the phone like this; you never know who is listening."
Quote:
Mitch said the same thing about 'freeing' it, but it's not like we unlocked a door or anything," Jen said, "and besides, assuming there is a 'Wytch' and assuming we did 'free' it, shouldn't it be saying 'thank you' if we ever crossed paths again?"
She talked while she moved. Of course, shooting it in the chest probably wouldn't endear it to her, assuming there actually was a Wytch out there. But it bled. So that's why she was arming herself.
"You let it cross the river," he says flatly, "I know it sounds crazy, but it can't cross running water." He chuckles, an almost spiteful chuckle, before adding, "There's your proof that she's a damned creature! And trust me, you don't want It's form of thanks."
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Re: (IC) HtV STL by Night
Jen Gibbs
Now, she hadn't told anyone about that thing wearing the girl's (Lydia?) skin. Jen paused as Bill mentioned that, then she continued arming herself. She pulled out her hunting rifle and a glock, and shoved the pistol into her waistband and slung the rifle over her shoulder. Then she went to get the ammo.
"Yeah, I saw it wearing a skin," Jen said, "it did the skinning too, I think, thanks for reminding me."
She stopped talking as she slammed the clip into the pistol and grabbed a box of bullets for the rifle; Bill could probably hear her but she didn't care. Now that she didn't feel naked anymore, she was going to turn on all the lights in the house, and then she was going to change to go out with Caitlyn.
"Okay, we can meet, tomorrow," she said. She picked a starbucks at a nearby mall around lunchtime.
Then she remembered, she'd stumbled into the corpse. If it really was skinned, there should be some blood left on her boot. She looked down to check.
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Re: (IC) HtV STL by Night
"The name's Frank, I understand you wanted to speak with me and my friend Jen. All I want to know is how to keep my daughters safe." Frank is having a tough time keeping his tone even. The more he spoke the more it seemed real.
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Re: (IC) HtV STL by Night
Quote:
"Yeah, I saw it wearing a skin," Jen said, "it did the skinning too, I think, thanks for reminding me."
This causes Bill to chuckle, but he doesn't say anything till he hears Jen slam the pistol clip home. "Good," he says, "arming yourself; now you're using your brain." He chuckles again, but this time the gravel laugh chokes into an almost desperate fit of dry coughs. Struggling to control his voice Bill adds, "But it's too bad your bullets won't work. My buddy once unloaded an entire AR clip on, but it was still standing after. Honestly not sure what will kill it... still working on that."
When Jen suggests meeting tomorrow he replies, "That will work. There's a Church in Salem; The Illuminated Church of Saint George, we can meet there. Just let me know what time you're coming by." When Bill mentions The Illuminated Church, Jen's mind races back immediately to driving down Main Street with Frank the night before they got to the park (OOC: See post 5 of the IC thread).
************************************************** *********************
"Yeah," Bill says knowingly from the other line, "I spoke to Jen earlier tonight. Been waiting for your call." He pauses for a moment and Frank can hear the man take a deep sigh in. Then he says, "You have daughters Mr. Frank, who you want to protect? Well, probably the best thing you can do is just stay away from them. See my guess is The Wytch will be coming around to find you, and well, you know what witches do to little children, right?" He chuckles once, a dark mirthful chuckle.
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Re: (IC) HtV STL by Night
"I don't find this particularly amusing Bill." Frank sighs, "At least you didn't start droning on about garlic and lambs blood or something."
"How do we deal with this thing? Mitch said something about running water?"
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Re: (IC) HtV STL by Night
Jen Gibbs
“I’ll text you,” Jen said, “it bled when I shot it.”
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Re: (IC) HtV STL by Night
"Well, dealing with it ain't exactly that easy," Bill replies flatly. He stops for a moment before adding, "The Wytch can't cross through running water, though as you've probably guessed it can go over it if there's a bridge or something. Anyways, I don't really think you should be dealing with it. That said, I do want to meet with you and your friend Jen. She actually said she'd be coming by tomorrow. Talking to you will help me deal with The Wytch, and maybe just maybe I can help you and your loved ones stay a little bit safer."
************************************************** ********
When Jen mentions that she'll text Bill, he replies, "Well ****, ain't that thoughtful of you. I guess I'll just sit around on my ass all day tomorrow waiting to hear from you." He chuckles at this, seeming darn proud of his sarcasm.
But Bill is less quick to reply when Jen mentions shooting The Wytch. Instead there is a pause before a noisy slurping sound. Then he says, "And I'm guessing it didn't do a whole hell of a lot to slow it down, right?"
Jen looks down at her boot (OOC: Sorry about that), and there is the dried maroon brown stain on the side of the toe cap, from when she stumbled into the flayed body.
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Re: (IC) HtV STL by Night
Jen Gibbs
"Sorry, doing two things at once, I'm going to get Frank to come too," Jen said as she tapped out a message to Frank, "it didn't chase us, but it didn't die either. It started doing something and we took off before it finished."
"So... hypothetically speaking, if it wanted to track me down, how would it do it?" Jen asked as she stared at the blood stain on her boot. She took her shoes off; she was going clubbing anyway and she had no idea if this thing could track down a bloody shoe, but maybe it could...
Frank: "Meet tomorrow at that church in Salem? Mitch's friend wants to chat, seems to know what he's talking about. Lunch?"
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Re: (IC) HtV STL by Night
Quote:
"Sorry, doing two things at once, I'm going to get Frank to come too," Jen said as she tapped out a message to Frank, "it didn't chase us, but it didn't die either. It started doing something and we took off before it finished."
Bill's voice practically cuts Jen off while she's talking, "Frank? That's your friend who was with you at the park?" He doesn't comment on Jen's description of what happened.
Quote:
"So... hypothetically speaking, if it wanted to track me down, how would it do it?" Jen asked as she stared at the blood stain on her boot. She took her shoes off; she was going clubbing anyway and she had no idea if this thing could track down a bloody shoe, but maybe it could...
There is a long pause before Bill replies. Finally he says, "Hypothetically speaking?" His voice trails off for a second then he adds, "... Well, not hypothetically speaking, you should hang garlic up all over your house; over the mantle of your door, over every window, and around your bed." Seeming to know where Jen's mind is going he hastily says, "Don't worry, its not a vampire and it doesn't drink blood. I know it might sound stupid. But the Wytch can follow you by scent, and well garlic messes with it's ability to smell you."
************************************************** ********
Fred gets Jen's text around this time, even though it had been sent earlier in the night. The text reads, ""Meet tomorrow at that church in Salem? Mitch's friend wants to chat, seems to know what he's talking about. Lunch?"
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Re: (IC) HtV STL by Night
Jen Gibbs
Garlic? No. Perfume? Yes.
She sprayed on more than she needed, then threw the small bottle into her clutch.
"I was in a car, we drove for hours, and it wasn't even my car," she said, "Okay, whatever, it can find me by smell. Anything else I should know?" she asked.
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Re: (IC) HtV STL by Night
Bill seems to ignore Jen's glibness and says, "Well, I'd suspect you should start expecting The Wytch to take the skins of your loved ones. Be prepared to expect everyone. And be careful of your dreams." He says both facts like they were prescriptions being provided by a doctor, rather than absurd recommendations.
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Re: (IC) HtV STL by Night
"Right, then is there anything I can do to make sure the thing is following me and not going anywhere near my daughters? I can stay on the move for a while if need be, use a few water crossings to keep it interesting. You wanted to meet up in Salem it seems."
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Re: (IC) HtV STL by Night
Quote:
Frank gets Jen's text around this time, even though it had been sent earlier in the night. The text reads, ""Meet tomorrow at that church in Salem? Mitch's friend wants to chat, seems to know what he's talking about. Lunch?"
Bill chuckles at Frank's question. "Well shoot, that's mighty noble of you," he says with bemusement, "I'm not sure I have a great answer for you. Suppose the best I can tell you is to stay away from your daughters, 's probably the best way to keep them safe." In reply to Frank's last statement he says, "Yes, I spoke to your friend. I believe she was going to come out here tomorrow. Figure I might be able to help you more if we talk in person."
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Re: (IC) HtV STL by Night
"Right, I suppose we will probably meet tomorrow then." When the call ends, Frank starts securing the house, mostly focusing on setting things up so if something gets in, it won't do so quietly. Then he settles down to sleep in the living room armchair, his blanket concealing the loaded shotgun close to hand. He also sets an alarm so he can be relatively sure of waking before the girls and cleaning up the evidence of his paranoia.
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Re: (IC) HtV STL by Night
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Bennosuke
Bill seems to ignore Jen's glibness and says, "Well, I'd suspect you should start expecting The Wytch to take the skins of your loved ones. Be prepared to expect everyone. And be careful of your dreams." He says both facts like they were prescriptions being provided by a doctor, rather than absurd recommendations.
"Right," Jen said, still feeling extremely skeptical, "I'll see you tomorrow then."
If Bill didn't say anything else, she hung up an let her phone charge while she continued getting ready to go out. She made sure to put a change of clothing in her car, no sense in being unprepared.
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Re: (IC) HtV STL by Night
By the next morning, neither Frank nor Jen have any run ins or scares with The Wytch. Jen spends the night with Caitlyn, hopefully enjoying themselves, and Frank puts the girls to bed before eventually succumbing to slumber himself.
Presumably the two are able to coordinate before the next morning, and perhaps they will be driving together. Given how long it takes to get back out to Salem, the two will need to leave early.
Along with determining how the two are going back to Salem, I would like to hear:
-How was Jen's night? How late was she out, and how is she doing this morning?
-Since Frank has just picked up his daughters from his ex-wife and Neil, what is he doing with the girls while he is gone for the day?
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Re: (IC) HtV STL by Night
Frank is on the phone with his ex wife early in the morning. He hated doing this, for more reason than one, but if he was too dangerous to be around, he could deal with the fallout with his daughters later rather than have them end up like...
"Yes, I know its sudden notice, and I'm sorry, but I don't have much of a choice. They said it was now or never, and I can't pass it up." The lie he was telling was fairly simple, and not too unusual, his little welding business survived on building contracts, but thrived on emergency repair work. A company calling out of the blue waving a big check for immediate work was something that she would be familiar with.
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Re: (IC) HtV STL by Night
Jen Gibbs
Jen woke up with a slight hangover. She'd gotten fairly drunk the night before, and cut loose dancing at the club, but stopped herself before she got wasted and made sure she drank plenty of water before going to sleep. What little headache she had would probably be mostly cured by the pot of coffee she was currently brewing.
She texted Frank: "What time do you want to leave? I'll catch a ride to your place and we can head out from there."